Optical card based system for individualized tracking and record keeping

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, a system for identifying an individual and reading biometric information pertaining to the individual from an optical card is disclosed. The system includes an optical card drive and a biometric scanner that are both coupled to a data processor. The optical card includes biometric data of the individual. The biometric scanner reads the biometric information from the individual. The biometric information is compared with biometric data to assist in authenticating that the individual is associated with the optical card

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation inpart of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/454,717 filed on Dec. 6, 1999,which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention generally relates to a system for acquiring andstoring information and storing this information in a single portablestorage device. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, thesystem provides a display for displaying identification informationcarried on the storage device, a biometric identification device, a dataprocessor, and a telecommunications port or communication device.

[0003] There are many known devices or systems that allow theidentification and tracking of information relating to an individual. Awell known example of such systems includes the use of an identificationcard that includes a photograph and a magnetic machine readable stripe.These systems have gained considerable popularity because of their lowcost and ease of use. The limitations of these systems, however, hasleft important un-met needs in terms of security, reliability andversatility.

[0004] More specifically, cards that include an individual's picture orfacsimile, suffer from the limitation that the picture can be alteredwith relative ease. Additionally, the wide use of these systems, whichrely on somewhat antiquated printing and reproduction techniques, hasmade the complete falsification or creation of false identity cardspossible for individuals with modest technical training. Thus theproblem of identity falsification by way of these systems persists.

[0005] Still further, the use of magnetic strips or magneticallyencodeable portions in identification systems, relies on cards that aresusceptible to inadvertent erasure of the cards by exposure to a strongmagnetic field, as may be found on a cashier's counter, a speaker, orother commonly used tools or devices. Thus the reliability oreffectiveness of these systems is susceptible to destruction oralteration with common tools or devices.

[0006] Still further, magnetically encoded identification cards sufferfrom the limitation that they can only hold a limited amount ofinformation. Thus, magnetically encoded cards may include identificationcodes which may be used as a key for comparison with an access code thatis manually entered or provided by the user. Thus, these devices canoffer only limited identification verification since the amount ofinformation that can be stored as a key is also very limited. Thislimitation often allows thieves to simply spy on the user as he or sheenters the key or verification information to gain access to all of theinformation needed to duplicate the access card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is described in conjunction with theappended figures:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention,the view also illustrating the use with the addition of a barcodescanner;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a schematic of the architecture of an embodiment of theinvention;

[0010]FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of a barcode form to inputinformation into the system;

[0011]FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment of physician's notes for inputinto the system; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is an example of a printout of information or instructionsprovided by the system.

[0013] In the appended figures, similar components and/or features mayhave the same reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] The ensuing description provides preferred exemplaryembodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope,applicability or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuingdescription of the preferred exemplary embodiment(s) will provide thoseskilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing apreferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understoodthat various changes may be made in the function and arrangement ofelements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims.

[0015] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system foridentifying an individual and reading biometric information pertainingto the individual from an optical card. The system includes an opticalcard drive and a biometric scanner that are both coupled to a dataprocessor. The optical card includes biometric data of the individual.The biometric scanner reads the biometric information from theindividual. The biometric information is compared with biometric data toassist in authenticating that the individual is associated with theoptical card.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention the biometricinformation or data gathering device includes a fingerprint readingdevice which collects the image of at least one fingerprint from a handof the person presenting the optical card. In one embodiment, theoptical card contains encrypted information about the fingerprint of theowner or duly authorized user of the card. The fingerprint imageinformation is then used to compare the image with the stored image. Thestored image being the image of the authorized user as recorded in thememory of the system. The comparison is carried out by the processor,which executes programs for the operation of the system. A similarcomparison process would be carried out in the event that anotherbiometric factor, such as the coloration or pattern on the individual'siris, for example.

[0017] Thus, embodiments of the disclosed system will use encryptedcomputer code or writing to store information on the optical card. Theinformation could pertain to biometric data or could include an image ofthe individual and/or could include information on the fact that thecard had been used to access the system.

[0018] Because of the system's data processing and communicationscapabilities, it is contemplated that the system can be advantageouslyused for carrying out important identity verification and informationstorage and transfer processes. One such process or method is a methodfor employee or personnel tracking. Of particular importance is a systemand method for implementing substance abuse or drug use programs at afacility. With this system and method it is contemplated that theoptical card of the disclosed system would be used to store, in anencrypted manner, information pertaining to the identity of thecardholder 4 as well as certain risk characteristics about theindividual 4 and the area that is to be accessed.

[0019] The risk characteristics will be factors about the individualwhich will allow the system to determine a proper statistically derivedfrequency or model of random testing. For example, if the individual isof a high risk characteristic, either because of the job to be performedby that individual or because of the individual's personal history, thenthe system would select the proper statistical model to produce anadequate random determination for whether this individual should reportto a drug testing facility for testing or continue through to work area.

[0020] Thus, to properly secure areas and administer the appropriatedrug testing program, the optical card could also store information onthe cardholder's training, health, emergency assistance precautions orspecial needs in case of emergency.

[0021] Still further, it is contemplated that the disclosed system beused in conjunction with other data input devices, such as a bar codescanner. It is further contemplated that when used with a scanner typeinput device, the system may be used for the input and tracking ofmedical records of the individual cardholder 4 or owner. In thisembodiment, the optical card would be used to carry a combination ofscanned image information, typed or manually entered information, andinformation by code scanning.

[0022] In this embodiment, the information obtained by code scanning isstandard or commonly used terms or codes such as CPT codes, treatments,and observations used during the examination of patients. The scannedimage storage capabilities of the optical card can be used to store theexamining physician's notes, which is entered onto the card by way ofthe code scanner in one embodiment. For example, when a cardholder 4arrives at a physician's office, the physician would use the disclosedsystem to access the medical records as encoded on the optical card.These records would be accessed from the optical card and displayed bythe system on a screen or printed out by exporting the information fromthe disclosed system to a printer. Once the physician examines thepatient, the physician writes down his or her observations andprescriptions in a customary, well known manner.

[0023] The physician's notes are then read by an assistant or data entryoperator. The data entry operator transcribes these notes by usingstandardized comments or inputs as presented as a part of a series ofbar codes, each bar code representing a commonly used term orobservation in that area of medicine. Additionally, the actual notes orcomments hand written by the physician are then scanned and the imagerecorded on the optical card along with the transcribed notes. Thiscombination of transcribed notes and images will ensure accurateretrieval of the records, and provide the physician with a way toauthenticate and certify that the records were his or her notes.

[0024] The use of the optical card and system disclosed herein allowsthe owner of the card, or card carrier, to carry a single card with alarge amount of information pertaining to that individual's identity andmedical history so as to allow anyone with the disclosed system toaccess the information and decide on the appropriate course oftreatment.

[0025] It will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosed systemare a particularly versatile tool in that they can be used for a varietyof tasks that identify an individual. Also, embodiments of the systemcan help satisfy the need to carry out data processing operations whichpertain specifically to the individual identified by the card.

[0026] Still further, it will be appreciated that embodiments thedisclosed invention provide a versatile system and method forimplementing employee monitoring programs and programs designed fortesting employees for substance abuse.

[0027] Turning now to FIG. 1 where a self-contained system 10, made inaccordance with the principles taught herein, is illustrated. The system10 is useful for identifying and storing information pertaining to anindividual 4. According to one embodiment of the invention, the system10 uses an optical card 12 for storing the information pertaining to theindividual 4. It is contemplated that this information pertaining to theindividual 4 may include information about the individual's health; orphysical characteristics; audit trail information that logs the factthat the system 10 and the optical card 12 were used together; and/orother data which is useful in carrying out calculations, such asstatistical calculations pertaining to the individual 4, within thesystem 10. In some embodiments, the optical card is rectangular inshape, like a credit card, but in others it is disk-shaped and may ormay not be housed in a protective cover.

[0028] In this embodiment, the optical card 12 includes well known writeonce, read many (WORM) type of the category or class of media discussedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,772. State of the art optical cards are capableof storing up to four megabytes of digital information. This translatesinto approximately 1500 type-written pages. Thus, it is contemplatedthat state of the art optical cards are particularly well suited for usewith the disclosed system 10. However, it is important to note that theprinciples taught herein are applicable to other highly transportableWORM-type devices.

[0029] The system 10 will serve as a portable, self-contained unit, thatdoes not depend on a connection or data link to a larger dataholding-and processing unit. Thus, the user can simply place one of thesystems 10 at a desired location in an office building, manufacturingplant, laboratory, and so on, and carry out all of the necessaryidentity verification and program implementation without having toestablish communications with a central data processing center. Thesystem 10 uses the data storage capabilities of the optical card 12 tostore information such as photographs in a digital format, programparameters such as number of times that the optical card has beenpresented to the system 10, information about the cardholder 4 who isbeing tracked or identified by the system 10, this information mayinclude medical history, substance abuse history, job accessrequirements and/or authority to enter secured areas.

[0030] Thus, as shown on FIG. 2, it is contemplated that the system 10will include data processor and store 14, which in one embodiment willinclude a data processor 16 (e.g., an INTEL™ x86 series type ofprocessor), non-volatile memory 20 (e.g., hard disc drive, flash memory,battery-backed RAM, magnetic RAM, etc.) and volatile memory 18 (e.g.,SRAM, RAM, etc.). The non-volatile memory 20 stores a basic input andoutput system processing and access disk software (e.g., MICROSOFT™Windows or LNUX™).

[0031] Also shown on FIG. 2 is an optical card drive 22, which servesfor reading data from the optical card 12 and writing data on to theoptical card 12. In an embodiment of the invention, this optical carddrive 22 is an optical card read/write apparatus manufactured and soldby the DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION™ of Mountain View, Calif. Theoptical card drive 22 is in communication with the data processor 16.The term “communication” as used herein means that data can betransferred from one device to the other. This data transfer may becarried out through radio waves, optical signals, electrical pulses, orother ways for allowing data transfer between two devices.

[0032] Information that has been stored on the optical card 12, by wayof a strong encryption method, is retrieved into the data processor 16.This information includes a digitized photograph 28 of the cardholder 4;biometric identification information; information about the cardholder'shistory, such as substance abuse and testing, training andqualifications; important medical limitations and emergency treatmentinformation; and executable program information. The executable programinformation is a program that is downloaded from the card onto the dataprocessor and store 14 where it is executed. In one embodiment of theinvention, this executable program is a drug testing program which suitsthe needs of a particular entity which is using the system 10. The drugtesting program is executed by the data processor 16, which also usedinformation retrieval from the optical card 12 as the data on which tocarry out its operations.

[0033] An embodiment of the invention is shown on FIG. 2 that includes abiometric scanner 24 for obtaining biometric data from an individual 4.According to an example of the invention, the biometric scanner 24 forobtaining biometric data from an individual 4 includes a fingerprintreading device such as the fingerprint scanner sold under the productname BIOMOUSE PLUS™ by the AMERICAN BIOMETRICS COMPANY™ of Ottawa,Canada, but other fingerprint or biometric scanners could be use. It isimportant to note that while this example of the invention uses afingerprint scanner, it is also contemplated that other biometricscanning or reading devices may be employed with the system, such asiris pattern scanning, hand geometry, voice recognition, facerecognition, or even DNA recognition devices.

[0034] The information generated by the biometric scanner 24 is thentransferred to the data processor and store 14 where it is compared witha verified pattern stored on the optical card 12 to positively identifythat the true cardholder 4 is present before the system 10. Thebiometric information on the optical card 12 is verified at the time itis written to the card such that later comparisons have a verifiedbaseline measurement. Authorized agents, such as police departments andmotor vehicle offices, could be used assure accurate biometricinformation is written to the card 12.

[0035] Once the verification of identity has been completed, the system10 uses the executable program from the optical card 12 to implement thedrug testing, record keeping, banking, or other programs, such asgovernment assistance programs where funds are to be used by recipientsfor the purchase of specific items. The system 10 will then proceed tocarry out the operations of the programmed task as controlled by thedata and code encrypted on the optical card 12. The system 10 thencommunicates with the cardholder 4 by way of a video output for anexternal display or an integral display 36, which shows the cardholder'spicture 28 and instructions about the access or transaction procedures.Additionally, it is contemplated that the system 10 will include aprinter 30 in some embodiments that is used to provide the cardholder 4with a printed record of instructions or details about the interactionbetween the cardholder and the system 10. The printer 30 in thisembodiment is integral with the housing 32, but could be externallylocated in other embodiments.

[0036] In an embodiment of the invention, the system 10 isself-contained in that the display 36, such as a liquid crystal display(LCD) or other display screen; the data processor and store 14; and theoptical card drive 22 are all held by the same housing 32. It iscontemplated that the biometric scanner 24 for obtaining biometric datais connected to the housing 32 by way of a cable or other wired orwireless communication mechanism. However, it is contemplated that infurtherance of providing the benefits of a stand-alone system, thebiometric scanner 24 for obtaining biometric data may be attached orfixed to the housing. In some embodiments, certain components could bedetached for various applications, for example, the display screen 36may be removable and replaced by a larger display 36 coupled to thehousing 32 with a cable or wireless connection.

[0037] The display 36 can be used to display instructions to thecardholder 4 or someone else using the system 10. For example, thedisplay could present an image of the cardholder 4. An attendant couldcompare that image with the cardholder's appearance to authenticate thatthe optical card 12 belongs to the cardholder 4. The comparison of theimage to the cardholder appearance could be automatic in otherembodiments. The biometric scanner 24 could be a camera. An acquiredimage could be compared with the retrieved image by the data processorand store 14 using face recognition technology. Similar automatedauthentication is possible with fingerprint, iris, voice, hand geometrycomparisons.

[0038] The software that performs the biometric comparison could bestored on the optical card 12 and/or the non-volatile memory 20. Thesystem could include an initial version of the biometric comparisonsoftware. If an optical card 12 were presented with updated biometriccomparison software, it could replace the version stored on thenon-volatile memory 20. In this manner, field-upgrades of the softwareis performed.

[0039] This embodiment of the disclosed system 10 offers important newand useful results in that it allows an entity to operate many systems10 at various locations, without having to have the systems 10 networkedtogether. The encryption and record keeping of transactions is allcarried out by the each system 10 and recorded in an encrypted fashionon the optical card 12. Thus in going from location to location, thecardholder 4 will be received and handled as if the system 10 were partof a larger network connected computers, without a persistent networkconnection.

[0040] It is also contemplated that the system 10 may optionally includea keypad or other data input device, such as a voice activated inputdevice, to allow a user to enter instructions, passwords or the likeinto the system 10. It is also contemplated that the system 10 mayinclude a relay or other output signal that can control an accesscontrol lock 34 for opening, closing and/or locking a doorway, gate,safe, or other controlled space or piece of equipment. Additionally, itis also important to note that it is contemplated that the system 10could be connected to a telecommunications system, network or other datatransfer system for transferring data to a central system or to anotherdevice. Adding a connection to a central system could provide theprovision of a data backup system option to the disclosed invention orcould allow software or firmware updates. Some embodiments use theoptical cards to provide information to the various self-containedsystems for data backup and system updates, for example, the opticalcard could include software that could update the firmware or softwarein the system 10 if it were determined out of date.

[0041] As an example of the system 10 in use in air transport industry,the system 10 is used to control access to an aircraft maintenance workarea. In this example, access to the secured work area is locked by amagnetic door lock 34 that is controlled by the system 10. A cardholding mechanic, who is about to enter the work area, approaches thesystem 10 and inserts the optical card 12 into the system 10 and placesat least one finger on the biometric scanner 24 to read the fingerprint.When the optical card 12 is inserted into the optical card drive 22, anexecutable program is downloaded and executed by the data processor andstore 14 to allow the system 10 to compare biometric data obtained fromthe mechanic against an authenticated scan(s) on the optical card 12.The picture 28 of the individual 4 is also read from the optical card 12and presented on the display 36. The image 28 on the screen 36 can beviewed by a security guard at the gate to further authenticate themechanic's identity. If the comparison of the biometric informationresults in a positive identification, then the system 10 could initiateother software routines that can originate from the optical card 12itself or may have been previously loaded on the data processor andstore 14.

[0042] In one example, a drug testing program could be initiated as partof a random or periodic screening regiment or one controlled by analgorithm run with a program on the optical card 12. This program wouldweigh the sensitivity of the individual's duties, any drug test historyand any medical history and run a random number or selection generationprogram to indicate whether this individual 4 should be tested forcontrolled substances. Of course, other parameters than those enumeratedabove may be used in the algorithm. If the individual 4 is selected fordrug testing, the system 10 would communicate to the individual 4 by wayof the display 36 and or by printing out a summary with the printer 30.An example printout 55 is shown on FIG. 4. This printout 55 couldinclude the time and place where the individual 4 is to report for drugtesting and other instructions pertinent to the current situation. Auditinformation about the requirement that the test be carried out wouldimmediately, for example, is written in encrypted form on the opticalcard 12 by the optical card drive 22. Any further use of the opticalcard 12 could revisit compliance by determining if the drug testrequirement was satisfied by checking the records held by the opticalcard 12.

[0043] Referring once again to FIG. 2, as discussed above, it iscontemplated that the system 10 may also include communication link 38that may be used to instantaneously warn or inform a supervisor or otherresponsible individual of the test requirement, and thus the responsibleindividual may immediately escort the employee to the drug testfacility. This escort would minimize the possibility of any attempt toalter the drug test by ingesting large amounts of water or otherdilutants, for example. Additionally, it would minimize the opportunityof obtaining a phony sample from a known drug-free individual orotherwise foil the test. The communication link could be ethernet,serial, parallel, USB, firewire, wireless, infra red, etc.

[0044] Still another embodiment of the system 10 optionally includes theuse of a barcode or RFID scanner 40 for entering information into thesystem 10. The scanner 40 would be in communication with the dataprocessor and store 14 to allow the information entered into the systemby way of the scanner 40.

[0045] Although not delineated in FIG. 2, there is other hardware 35 inthe system 10. For example, a power supply is included that may bepartially inside and/or partially outside the enclosure 32. There couldbe an interface to an integral or external to a removable ornon-removable storage drive. Some embodiments could include a modem,ethernet or other networking port. Some embodiments could have statuslights and/or LEDs, display panels, control panels, speaker, microphone,etc. For future expansion, some embodiments could have an expansion buswhere circuit card could mate to allow future upgradability.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3B, and particularly FIGS. 3A and 3B, itwill be understood that the addition of the barcode scanner 40 wouldallow the user to further harness the versatility of the disclosedsystem 10. In this embodiment, the system 10 is used for storage andretrieval of medical records. In use, a cardholder 4 would arrive at aphysician's office with his or her medical records stored as encrypteddata on the optical card 12. The physician would then access the medicalrecords by inserting the optical card 12 into the optical card drive 22and have the patient place a finger on the biometric scanner 24 forobtaining biometric data from the patient. The system 10 would comparethe measured and stored biometric information. The physician observesthe display 36 to determine whether the patient presenting the cardappears the same as the image 28 depicted on the display 36. Anadditional benefit to including the image information on the opticalcard is that the physician may look at the image 28 on the display 36and compare that image with the patient's current appearance. Anychanges in the appearance of the patient may aid the physician in thediagnosis of the patient.

[0047] Once the physician has retrieved the records stored on theoptical card 12, and examined the patient, the physician may then writedown or enter recommendations and other observations. An example of thephysician's notes 42 is shown in FIG. 3B. Of course, the physician mayeven take photographs, other types of diagnostic imaging and/or medicaltests of the patient for storage in a digital format in the optical card12. This medical information may be used at a later time for furtherevaluation of the patient's progress.

[0048] The physician's notes 42 may also be stored in the optical card12. These notes can be stored in two forms, more specifically, asdigitized scans or as digital text characters. The digitized scan wouldbe a scanned facsimile that could be later retrieved from the opticalcard 12 for display 36 and/or printout 30. With images, such as thephotographs or scanned notes, they serve a purpose in that they may beretrieved at a later date and aid the physician in refreshing memoryabout the patient's visit or could be used by another medicalprofessional.

[0049] Since the diagnosis and observations about the patient'scondition are likely to include many typical or commonly foundobservations. These comments or observations can be entered into thesystem 10 for inclusion on the optical card 12, reporting to a remotedata storage point and/or printout with the printer 30. An examplebarcode printout 44 with various barcodes 45 on two sheets is shown inFIG. 3A. The physician's notes are, at least in part, found as terms orcodes associated with the various barcodes 45 on the barcode printout 44shown in FIG. 3A. The various barcodes 45 could be in any machinereadable format, for example, a one-dimensional, a two-dimensional barcode or other machine readable code.

[0050] As mentioned above, FIG. 3A shows barcode form sheets 44 havingvarious barcodes 45 corresponding to a selection of notes that aphysician might make during an office visit. The barcode form sheets 44could be produced by a program on the optical card 12 and produced onthe printer 30. The barcodes 45 printed could only be those relevant toa particular stage of treatment for the patient. During the patient'svisit, the physician's notes are indicated by a circle or other mark toindicate which bar codes 45 are appropriate for the patient. Textualnotes could be included on the forms 44 that explain or remind thephysician of the meaning of the various barcodes 45.

[0051] The indicated barcodes 45 can be easily entered into the system10. In one embodiment, a physician's assistant uses the barcode scanner40 to transcribe the physicians's notes into computer readable text thatis also stored as encrypted data on the optical card 12. A circle inthis example is used to show the assistant the relevant barcodes 45 toscan on the barcode form 44. The corresponding codes or notes areencrypted into the patient's optical card 12 after entry. The relevantbarcodes 45 or scanned notes 42 can be printed at a later time and/orsubsequent visit.

[0052] The codes and text written to the optical card 12 may include aprescription or other therapy for the patient. The patient may then gotto a pharmacy which provides the needed prescriptions and that alsoposses a system 10. The optical card 12 and the system 10 are then usedto verify the identity of the patient and to retrieve the prescriptionsto be filled. The records of the transactions may then also be encriptedonto the card. It is important to note that the encryption and dataretrieval system and the programmability of the data processor and store14 used to with the system 10 may be used to allow selective access tothe records stored in the optical card 12. Thus the pharmacy would onlybe able to retrieve identification information, the prescriptions and/orother specified information while other information is not available tothe pharmacy.

[0053] In still another variation of the use of the disclosed system 10,a method for tracking and controlling the inventory of work place tools,equipment, classified documents, or controlled items is disclosed. Withthis method, a tool crib or materials distribution center would maintainan inventory of tools or materials to be distributed to employees. Thesetools or materials would be inventoried by way of a barcode attached tothe tool or material to be assigned to an employee.

[0054] When the employee desires to obtain a tool or material, he or shewill visit the tool crib or distribution center with the optical card12. The tool crib or distribution center has a system 10, which would beused, as described above, to identify the individual cardholder 4. Thesystem 10 would then access information stored in the card 12. In oneembodiment, this information would include information about tools ormaterials that have been checked out by the cardholder 4, employee. Forexample, if the employee is a nurse that is authorized to administercertain kinds of medication, this authority would be encripted on to theoptical card 12. The system 10 would then use the information from theoptical card 12 to provide authorization to check out the equipment,material or medications requested by the nurse. Once authorized, thecardholder 4 would receive the materials from the tool or materialsdispensing area.

[0055] To inventory the release of these tools or materials, the personissuing the tools or materials would use the barcode or RFID scanner 40to record the fact that these materials were issued to the cardholder 4.Of course, it is contemplated that a double entry type system may beused, where a computer connected to the system 10 would deduct thematerials form an inventory stored in its memory in addition torecording the transaction on the optical card 12. The disclosed system10 would be used to record the event on the cardholder's optical card 12to create an audit trail. Additionally, the system 10 would also be usedto record the return of tools or materials on the optical card 12.

[0056] By recording the fact that tools or other supplies have beenassigned to the cardholder 4, the system 10 can be used to controlinventories of the tools by combining the use of the informationrecorded on the optical card 12 to control the ingress and egress to thework area. Thus the cardholder 4 would check out a tool from a tool cribwithin the secured area, the fact that the tool was checked out to thecardholder 4 would be recorded on the cardholder's optical card 12. Thecardholder 4 would then use the tool to carry out his or her dutiesthroughout the work day. At the end of the work day the cardholder 4would insert the optical card 12 into the system 10 that controls accessto the work area. By inserting the card into the system 10, the system10 would read from the card the fact that a tool was checked out by thatcardholder 4. If the tool has not been returned to the tool crib, thesystem 10 controlling access to the work area would not allow the personto leave until the tool was returned to the tool crib and the system 10located at the tool crib used to record the return on the card 12.

[0057] Of course, it is contemplated that systems for allowing theoverride of the access control in case of fire or other emergencies maybe incorporated into the system without departing from the scope of thedisclosed invention. Further, some embodiments could includeself-contained systems 10 that could communicate with other equipment ora central location in real-time or periodically. There could be somesystems 10 with network access, some with periodic network access andstill others with no network access in a given deployment.

[0058] While the principles of the invention have been described abovein connection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearlyunderstood that this description is made only by way of example and notas limitation on the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for identifying an individual andreading biometric information pertaining to the individual from anoptical card, the system comprising: an optical card drive adapted forreading from and writing to the optical card, wherein the optical cardincludes biometric data of the individual; a biometric scanner thatreads the biometric information from the individual; and a dataprocessor coupled to the optical card drive and the biometric scanner,wherein the biometric information is compared with biometric data toassist in authenticating that the individual is associated with theoptical card.
 2. The system for identifying the individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from the optical cardas recited in claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying animage retrieved from the optical card, whereby the image of theindividual can be compared to the individual.
 3. The system foridentifying the individual and reading biometric information pertainingto the individual from the optical card as recited in claim 1, whereinthe data processor is programmed for encrypting and decipheringencrypted data obtained from the optical card drive.
 4. The system foridentifying the individual and reading biometric information pertainingto the individual from the optical card as recited in claim 1, whereinthe optical card drive, the biometric scanner, and the data processorare held in a single housing.
 5. The system for identifying theindividual and reading biometric information pertaining to theindividual from the optical card as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a barcode scanner coupled to the data processor.
 6. Thesystem for identifying the individual and reading biometric informationpertaining to the individual from the optical card as recited in claim1, further comprising a communication link for sending and receivingdata of the system.
 7. The system for identifying the individual andreading biometric information pertaining to the individual from theoptical card as recited in claim 1, further comprising an access controlmechanism, whereby the access control mechanism is manipulated onverification of the identity of individual.
 8. A system for identifyingan individual and reading biometric information pertaining to theindividual from an optical card, the system comprising: an optical carddrive adapted for reading an image of the individual from the opticalcard; a display for displaying the image retrieved from the opticalcard; and a data processor coupled to the optical card drive and thedisplay, wherein the image of the individual is displayed while theindividual's appearance is compared to the image to assist inauthenticating that the individual is associated with the optical card.9. The system for identifying the individual and reading biometricinformation pertaining to the individual from the optical card asrecited in claim 8, further comprising a biometric scanner that readsthe biometric information from the individual, wherein: the optical cardincludes biometric data of the individual, and the biometric informationis compared with biometric data to assist in authenticating that theindividual is associated with the optical card.
 10. The system foridentifying the individual and reading biometric information pertainingto the individual from the optical card as recited in claim 8, whereinthe data processor automatically performs the comparison of the imagewith the appearance.
 11. The system for identifying the individual andreading biometric information pertaining to the individual from theoptical card as recited in claim 8, wherein the optical card drive, thedisplay, and the data processor are held in a single housing.
 12. Thesystem for identifying the individual and reading biometric informationpertaining to the individual from the optical card as recited in claim8, further comprising an access control mechanism, whereby the accesscontrol mechanism is manipulated on verification of the identity ofindividual.
 13. A system for identifying an individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from an optical card,the system comprising: a biometric scanner for obtaining biometric datafrom the individual; a housing comprising: an optical card drive adaptedfor reading from and writing to the optical card, and a data processorcoupled with the optical card drive and the biometric scanner, whereinthe data processor assists in comparing data from said optical card andthe biometric data and delivers data to the optical card drive forwriting on the optical card; and a video output for displaying an imagecorresponding the individual, wherein the image is read from the opticalcard.
 14. The system for identifying the individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from the optical cardas recited in claim 13, wherein the optical card stores a prescriptionor other medical therapy.
 15. The system for identifying the individualand reading biometric information pertaining to the individual from theoptical card as recited in claim 13, wherein data processor isprogrammed for assigning testing of the individual with a reading of theoptical card.
 16. The system for identifying the individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from the optical cardas recited in claim 13, wherein the optical card includes software forinterpreting information stored on the optical card.
 17. The system foridentifying the individual and reading biometric information pertainingto the individual from the optical card as recited in claim 13, whereinthe housing further comprises a printer that is coupled to the dataprocessor.
 18. The system for identifying the individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from the optical cardas recited in claim 13, wherein the biometric scanner comprises at leastone of a fingerprint reader, an iris reader, hand geometry reader, voicerecognition device, face recognition device, and a DNA recognitiondevice.
 19. The system for identifying the individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from the optical cardas recited in claim 13, wherein the optical card is disk-shaped.
 20. Thesystem for identifying the individual and reading biometric informationpertaining to the individual from the optical card as recited in claim13, wherein audit information is written to the optical card duringinteraction with the system.
 21. A method for tracking an individual andinformation about the individual, the method comprising: assigning anoptical card to the individual; reading first biometric information fromthe optical card; gathering second biometric information from theindividual; comparing first biometric information and the secondbiometric information, wherein the reading, gathering and comparingsteps are performed with a system that includes a optical card drive, abiometric scanner and a data processor; and authenticating an identityof the individual based upon, at least, the comparing step.
 22. Themethod for tracking the individual and information about the individualas recited in claim 21, further comprising steps of: providing a displayfor displaying data from the data processor; reading an image from theoptical card; displaying the image on the display, whereby an attendantcan compare the image with the individual to authenticate that theoptical card is associated with the individual.
 23. The method fortracking the individual and information about the individual as recitedin claim 21, further comprising a step of writing information to theoptical card with the optical card drive that relates to theauthenticating step, whereby the information provides part of an audittrail for later inspection.
 24. The method for tracking the individualand information about the individual as recited in claim 21, furthercomprising a steps of: assigning a test of the individual based on theidentification; and writing information to the optical card indicatingthe test was assigned.
 25. The method for tracking the individual andinformation about the individual as recited in claim 21, furthercomprising a step of encrypting information that is written on theoptical card.
 26. The method for tracking the individual and informationabout the individual as recited in claim 21, further comprising a stepof writing a digitized image of a document to the optical card.